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I claimed my first ITU World Cup win with an electrifying sprint in Mooloolaba, just pipping reigning champion Brad Kahlefeldt and another Frenchman, David Hauss, on the line in the first major event of the 2012 season. ( March, 2012).

lundi 26 mars 2012

Last week end, I claimed my first ITU World Cup win with an electrifying sprint in Mooloolaba, just pipping reigning champion Brad Kahlefeldt and another Frenchman, David Hauss, on the line in the first major event of the 2012 season.

Since my last race in Geelong mid february, I shared my training between Christchurch and an altitude camp in the southern Alps of New Zealand.

After a first 8 weeks training block achieved, my friend and team mate David Hauss joined me to hammer some precious miles together looking towards London.
We had a great six weeks together alongside the high performance squad of Tri NZ and the legend Simon Whitfield.
Plenty of work done in a great atmosphere and outstanding landscape as usual in NZ!

Wednesday I left the frost of the snowfarm for the heat of the sunshine coast of Australia for the opening of the World Cup season in Mooloolaba.
The 20 year old race is part of triathlon history in Australia and has one the toughest course you can find on the circuit with a surf swim and a very hilly/ windy bike and run leg.

I have raced a few times there and in the past I have always burnt out on that course so I arrived in Queensland knowing what I was going in for.
I started the race ranked number two and after a good beach start I exited the ocean in the top 10.
On the ride I managed to stay on the front of the lead group without doing too much unnecessary work as I knew the last 10k would be super tough.
I started the run in 7th and found my rhythm straight. It was important for me to stay focussed on my own feelings and I was pleased to be leading the race with a group of 5 including the defending champion Brad Kahlefeldt, the silver medalist from last year Brendan Sexton, spanish Mario Mola and my team mate David Hauss.

After a couple of surges on the hills, David made his move with 1k to go, Brendan Sexton fell off the pace and from then I knew it was gonna end up on a 4 way sprint finish.

With 400m to go I decided to go and hold on until the finish and this is what happened.

I am pretty delighted winning the 1st World Cup of the year. It was always gonna be super tough as all athletes are looking for Olympics Points and a fast hit out after hard months of training.
Plus, Mooloolaba is surely one of the most prestigious races to win, I am now in the palmares with big names of our sport like Bevan Docherty, Miles Stewart, Chris McCormack, Courtney Atkinson, Javier Gomez, Brad Kahlefeldt...

With that win I am moving up to the second spot in the world ranking just in between Javier Gomez and Alistair Brownlee.
I know we are early in the season and a lot of work is still ahead of me but I won't complain with that win!
As I always say, it's important to enjoy good results especially when Andrea had also a stellar day finishing 3rd in the women's race reinforcing her leadership in the world ranking.

After two days easy with rock hard calves I am now back in Christchurch where I will finish my base training with my mates James Elvery, Tom Davison and Dylan McNeice.
Mooloolaba doesn't change anything to my plan, I know where I am and where I want to get. Work ahead..:.Watch video, press release and full results.:.

See you soon.
Laurent

Photos are courtesy of Delly Carr and Wayne Nevrilk. Feel free to contact them if you would like some images in high resolution.

jeudi 15 mars 2012

Since my victory in Geelong (AUS) , I am back into training with Andrea in the south island of New Zealand.David Hauss and Mélanie Annaheim have joinded us for a six weeks training block leading towards Mooloolaba World cup season opener at the end of march.

After several requests, I share with you few shots of our life as triathletes in the South Island of NZ:

Lake Tekapo on the road to Wanaka with Mélanie, Andréa, Aurélien et David.

Our lodge on top of the mountains.

The crown range pass.

Snack time half way through the long ride.

Our running trails by Lake Wanaka.

Sprint finish with David at the end of a run session, Simon Whitfield et Kris Gemmell are the referees.

Andrea is out training no matter what.

Helpful when the legs get tights!

Have a good day or night.
Laurent,
Chasing performancesPhotos Mélanie Annaheim (& me).